Sarah (O'Byrne) Smerage (2022) - Hall of Fame

Sarah (O'Byrne) Smerage

Induction:
2022
Class:
1990

Left-handed hurler Sarah O'Byrne (Smerage), from Cresco, Iowa, provided a major spark for the Panthers inside the pitching circle, helping take the UNI softball program to new heights during her career. Playing from 1987 through 1990, O'Byrne recorded a breakout senior season in 1990 setting a 23-year program record and (second all time record) in season wins (21). She also holds the single-season record for innings pitched (279.1) complete games (34) and shutouts (9). An All-Gateway Conference pitcher as a senior, O'Byrne helped lead the UNI to its first Gateway Tournament championship, and the program's first-ever NCAA appearance in 1990.

O'Byrne finished her career with the fifth-lowest career ERA in school history (1.50), O'Byrne ranks second in UNI history for career wins (60), games started (108) games completed (85) and innings pitched (752.2) and 3rd in shutouts with 22. Lefty O'Byrne was known for her wicked inside curve ball and precision accuracy allowing an average of just 1.46 walks per 7 inning game (and 752 innings pitched). O'Byrne was named to UNI's most valuable senior athletes list in 1990 and honored as a Gateway Athlete of the Decade for UNI women's sports.

After graduation, O'Byrne continued her career with a six-month season in New Zealand pitching for the Otaga national team and Green Island Fairfield club team. O'Byrne's first pitching coach was UNI Hall of Fame Member, Patty Stockman. O'Byrne's passion to help young players build the fundamentals for health and longevity in pitching led to five years serving as a pitching coach in the Dallas Center Grimes area.